Financial Assistance Program

If you’re unable to pay your Essentia Health medical bills, ask about options for financial assistance.

Do I Qualify for Financial Assistance?

You may benefit from the Essentia Health Financial Assistance Program if you:

  • Meet certain income and asset guidelines
  • Don’t have health insurance OR your health insurance policy doesn’t provide full coverage for medically necessary care
  • Have big out-of-pocket medical costs and limited ability to pay
  • Applied for other state or local assistance programs, such as Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Financial Help for Medications

Need help paying for your prescriptions? Talk to a pharmacy coordinator about financial help available for medications. Call your local Essentia pharmacy to learn more.

How Does Financial Assistance Work?

The Financial Assistance Program provides a discount on eligible medically necessary services provided by Essentia Health. It is not an insurance program, and certain services and providers are not covered.

Income-Based Discounts

Your discount is based on your household income. You may be eligible for a discount of:

  • 50 percent if your household income is less than 310 percent of the federal poverty level
  • 75 percent if your household income is less than 225 percent of the federal poverty level
  • 100 percent if your household income is less than 160 percent of the federal poverty level

Refer to the table below to see current income and asset guidelines.

Household Size

100% Discount,
If income is less than:

75% Discount,
If income is less than:

50% Discount,
If income is less than:
1 $19,296 $27,135 $37,386
2 $25,984 $36,540 $50,344
3 $32,672 $45,945 $63,302
4 $39,360 $55,350 $76,260
5 $46,048 $64,755 $89,218
6 $52,736 $74,160 $102,176

En Español: Programa de Asistencia Económica de Essentia Health [PDF]

Uninsured Discount

If you do not have health insurance, Essentia will first apply the Uninsured Patient Discount to any qualifying services. Then, we’ll use the Financial Assistance Program income-based discount on the remaining balance, if you qualify for the program.

Program Time Period

After enrolling in the Financial Assistance Program, your discount may be applied to bills from up to the past 36 months. The discount may remain in effect for 12 months after enrollment.

How To Apply For Financial Assistance

Download, complete, and submit an application [PDF] for the Essentia Health Financial Assistance Program.

Please submit application and supporting documents to Essentia Health, BSC Reception Desk, 400 E 3rd St, Duluth MN 55805 or email to FinancialAssistanceAppinfo@EssentiaHealth.org.

You’ll receive notification of your eligibility within 30 business days of Essentia receiving your completed application.

Catastrophic Discount

If you experience a severe illness or injury and your medical bills exceed 20 percent of your estimated yearly income, you may qualify for Essentia Health’s Catastrophic Discount.

This program is for households with an income above 310 percent of the federal poverty level who have exhausted all other payment options.

Financial Assistance Policy

Review our full Financial Assistance Program Policy [PDF].

Learn About Other Options

If you’re not eligible for the Financial Assistance Program, ask us about other programs that may help you pay your medical bills, such as short-term payment plans and long-term, zero-interest financing.

Contact Us

To speak with a patient account representative, email us or call 218-786-3333, option 2 or 1-800-985-4675, option 2. Monday – Wednesday, Friday 8 am to 5 pm and Thursday 9 am to 5 pm.